Angry voices woke me the next morning, groggily I opened one eye to find an
older man peering at me with an irritated look on his face. I smiled as
sweetly as possible and pulled the blankets up around me in a gesture of
modesty. Sunlight hit me from behind warming my back from the small window
in the little room Crutchy had told me was mine.
"I don't care she ain't stayin." The old man yelled, after staring at me for a moment. His voice ringing out across the room making me jump.
"Gee Mr. Kloppman, we didn't know where else she could go." Crutchy was saying in a calm voice.
"She can go anywhere, but here." Kloppman told him, from the way the boys were looking at him and the laugh creases around his eyes he didn't get angry often.
"Kloppman." Jack said throwing his arm around Kloppman's shoulder. " Tell me really where else she can go. She ain't got any family, she ain't got a home, just like the rest of us. She's too old for the orphanage and I wouldn't wish Morris or Oscar into the poor house. So you tell me where we gonna send her? I know ya ain't gonna send her out on the streets."
Jack flashed me a look and I took the hint giving Kloppman my best set of puppy eyes. I could see him fighting against his better judgment, but eventually I saw the look of acceptance in his eyes.
"Okay, she can stay." Kloppman relented "But you better believe I'll be up here makin sure there's no funny business. I don't like her sleepin in the same room as ya louts. I want that door to remain closed if ya sleepin or if ya changing missy. I'll be opening it at night to make sure no one's lost their way and ended up in here."
"I have better morals than that." I said trying not to sound too offended. " Just because I don't have a home doesn't mean I don't have any morals."
"I'm just makin sure." Kloppman told me his face softening a little. "Get dressed I wanna see you down stairs before the boys leave to go over the rules with ya."
I nodded and slammed the door shut, quickly I pulled on my clothes, switching out yesterdays shirt for one Mush had donated to me. One of the younger boys had offered an extra pair of trousers that I opted for as well. There had been some argument about me dressing like a man, but I had quelled those arguments with logical reasons. The one that had won the argument was that I was less likely to be accosted if I looked like a boy than if I looked like a girl. With grumbles the boys had relented at least those with any authority. Jack had held on until the last moment and finally gave in non-to gracefully. I opened the door to find a sleepy Jack slap boxing with an overly energetic Mush.
I hate morning people I thought grumpily watching the two, from the look Jack gave me as I passed them he was in agreement. It was an odd feeling, we had disagreed on nearly everything since I had woken up and found myself at the Lodging House. The door to the washroom slammed shut as I passed. I grinned and continued out the door and down the rickety set of stairs to where Kloppman waited in his office.
" Shut the door." Kloppman ordered, I did as he asked and sat in the chair he gestured to. " Look I'm sorry if I offended you in there, but what I said was as much for the boys as it were for you. Theys boys with healthy appetites in all areas, I ain't gonna pretend differently, but I don't run a cat house. The boys is right as of right now I ain't got a better place to send ya. I don't know nothin about you. I'm gonna assume until you prove otherwise that you is a good girl and ya ain't gonna let the boys into ya bed. If I find any hanky panky goin on ya out, ya got it?"
I nodded pushing down the irritation that welled up inside of me. He nodded and opened the door.
"Well with that bein said I guess we better get ya signed in." He said as he waived his hand for me to follow him out of the room. He opened up a book that lay on the counter. "Sign in, rents five cents a week, I'll let ya pass this week, but I expect my five cents next week."
I signed my name and gave all the appropriate information finishing just as Mush and Blink clattered down the stairs.
"Hey Cameo." Mush called, I rolled my eyes. Crutchy must have already told them the nickname he had given me the night before.
"Briar, Mush." I said turning, "My name is Briar."
"Crutchy told us he named ya Cameo so ya stuck with it." Blink told me handing me the hat I had left upstairs. "Anyways, we wanted to talk with ya before Jack did."
I raised one eyebrow and leaned against the counter, my arms akimbo.
"We was wonderin if ya wanted to sell with us today." Mush rushed on, searching my face as he said it. "We wanted to get to ya before Jack did, it ain't fair him getting Les and you."
"Only if we split equally." I replied " Jack took a seventy percent cut of my earnings yesterday. He said it was because he had let me observe him free of charge, but I didn't need to observe anything."
"That's Jack." Blink chuckled "So we split our takes equally an ya gonna come with us?"
I nodded, Blink spit on his hand and held it out as if he expected me to shake it.
"Do you know how many germs that spreads?" I asked wrinkling my nose in disgust. "It's a wonder you aren't all sick."
Mush laughed and threw his arm around my shoulders pulling me out the door before Jack could come down the stairs. I pulled my hair on top of my head in a messy bun and threw my hat over it. We made it to the distribution center long before Jack and waited next to a bronze statue for the gates to open. Jack sauntered up as Blink and Mush were telling me the story of strike they had been involved in. They told it in a way that made me laugh and feel the emotions they had gone through. So that was what Jack had meant by women had been the only people they had let sell newspapers.
"Have you two ever thought about making a book out of your story?" I asked, they both looked at me blankly " You really have the story telling knack. You have a gift, both of you."
"Yeah, well gift or not I wanna know why my sellin partner is with these two bums." Jack said, his voice telling us all he was irritated.
"You have a selling partner." I responded my tone casual " You have two selling partners, Jack."
"Yeah well, I wants to keep an eye on ya again today."
" You mean you want to make more money today." I said my tone sardonic. "If you're that worried about who I am, then I'm sure Blink and Mush wouldn't mind spying on me today."
"I claimed ya as my sellin partner first." Jack snapped.
"Jacky-boy, " I chuckled patting his cheek and smiling sweetly at him. " Ya gotta share the wealth."
He didn't look happy about the way I mimicked his accent, nor the way I had evaded his wishes. He knew he didn't have much of a choice other than letting me go. I had shot down all of his excuses and he couldn't say anything else without giving Mush and Blink the wrong idea.
"You two keep a close eye on her." He growled and stalked off into the opening gates. I watched as he ignored two punks who stood at the gates waiting for him taunting him.
"I ain't never seen him ignore a chance to go at the DeLanceys." Mush said a little awe in his voice.
" I ain't never seen him back down when he's wanted somethin." Blink added. They both looked at me with more than a little respect. "That's the second time ya won an argument with him. First wearin mens clothes now sellin with us."
"He can't win them all." I replied with a shrug of my shoulders. "I guess he'll have to work on his arguing skills. I've been arguing my whole life to get where I want. I hadn't my father would have run all over me."
"Amen to that." Mush said "We's all been fightin since we was born. Some of us fight with words, some with fists, most with both."
"And where does Jack fall?" I asked as we made our way to the line that was forming in front of the window where an older gentleman stood taking down a tally of the newspapers as he sold them.
"He wouldn't be the leader if he wasn't good at both." Blink told me as we bypassed the younger kids and cut into line next to Race. Crutchy waved from further up ahead. " Ya lucky, yous a girl. Jack don't take it too well when someone gives him lip."
I chewed on that for a while, until Mush broke into my thoughts for some money to split the newspapers we had bought. Crutchy was waiting at the end of the stairs for us as I followed Mush and Blink down.
"Hey Crutchy, I could sell with you tomorrow." I said my face brightening as I saw his goofy grin. He looked down for a moment then looked back up his face serious and almost pained.
" I don't think that would be a good idea Cameo." He said so softly I almost didn't' catch his words.
"Why not?" I asked my face showing my confusion. I had thought we were good friends, why wouldn't he want me to sell with him?
"I think you should stick with the stronger boys." He said reluctantly, his cheeks were a little pink and I knew what ever he was going to say next would be something that was hard for him. "If we got into trouble I wouldn't be able to protect you."
"Crutchy, I'm not a weak woman, who's going to stand around crying for help if I get into trouble." I told him " I know how to take care of myself, I may not have grown up on the streets, but I'm no stranger to trouble."
"I still think it would be best if ya sold with the other boys." Crutchy insisted. I let the matter drop, knowing how difficult this conversation was for him. He gave me half a grin and hobbled away before I could say anything else. I felt horrible; I hadn't realized when I asked him how insecure about his leg he was. He had such a great outlook on life I hadn't even stopped to consider the fact that he might not be comfortable with his disability.
"Don't let it bother you." Mush said reading my expression, angrily I clamped down on my emotions and felt the familiar mask settle on my face that would keep him from reading any more. "he gets this way sometimes."
"He's right though." Blink added. " Ya may be able to protect yaself, but between you and Crutchy ya'd get yaself hurt tryin to protect each other."
I gave them a glare and snatched my share of the papers from Mush's outstretched hand. I started out the gates, but stopped sheepishly when I realized I had no idea where we were going. Blink laughed and Mush looked at me with twinkling eyes. I just seethed, they let me walk ahead for a few blocks until my temper had cooled a bit and my bruised pride had settled down. It was a repeat of the day before, Mush or Blink were always there, one never very far away. I knew they were keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't get myself into some trouble. I didn't know whether to be irritated at their protectiveness, or be glad they cared. We split our earnings and headed off for Tibbys for lunch. Crutchy met us there, he seemed to have forgotten our earlier conversation and I let it go. If he was afraid to sell with me then I would have to deal with it. It wasn't worth arguing with him. I knew it made him uncomfortable. I looked over at Jack and smiled, now if it had been Jack I wouldn't have been able to resist arguing. He had this arrogance about him that just made me want to take him down a peg or two. He was a good-looking guy I had to admit that, but still there was that damn I am right aura that made me want to smack him.
"Don't tell me, you're another girl to add to the Jack's swoon of fame." I heard Blink say in a teasing voice. I realized I had been studying Jack, just long enough for them to notice.
"Yeah , they always do that." Crutchy joined in.
"I have never swooned over a guy." I told him indifferently " I'm not about to start with your holier than thou leader."
" Did you hear what she said guys?" Mush laughed " She just called Jack holier than thou."
I hid my grin behind my glass of root beer and gave Blink a steady look.
"Besides he's not my type." I said offhandedly, making Mush break into laughter all over again. Blink just shrugged as if he didn't buy it, his expression telling me he would believe it when he saw it.
"You ain't seen Jack turn on the charm." He responded his tone matching mine.
"You ain't seem me turn on the charm either." I replied winking at Mush who looked like he was going to pass out from lack of oxygen. Tears were streaming from his eyes as he gasped for air between laughs.
"So what's so funny over here?" I heard Jack say looking up into those hazel eyes I gave him the same sweet smile I had given him earlier and shrugged.
"I don't buy it, that smile means ya up to something." He said looking at me warily.
"I'm perfectly innocent." I told him batting my eyelashes at him sweetly, he rolled his eyes and turned away.
"Innocent my ass." I heard him mumble as he sauntered from Tibby's Les and Davy following in his wake.
" I sure hope it's innocent." I couldn't help calling after him. The boys all gave me an odd look and I remembered where I was. I couldn't help slipping sometimes, especially with all that Renaissance Festival influence. I shrugged and finished my meal in silence. I followed Mush and Blink out and to the next selling spot, not much changing from that morning. We split our money again and headed back to the Lodging House. It was dark by the time we finally reached it and I heard a vaguely familiar voice boasting as we reached the top of the steps. I entered and immediately found my eyes drawn to the beautiful pair of blue eyes that had captured my attention the morning before. Which had been a feat considering my attention had not been on the boys so much as wondering how I had gotten there and the horrible nausea that I had been inflicted with.
"So ya still here." Spot drawled, a lazy grin on his face. " I woulda thought you woulda cleared out by now."
That smoldering look he was giving me made my legs weak and I could feel that tingling feeling that you always get just as a crush is ready to set in.
Get a hold of yourself. I snapped at myself trying to keep my face cool and expressionless. So I fought at the crush with the only way I knew how, I spoke.
"What makes you think that?" I asked " What's it to ya anyway? Isn't your territory Brooklyn?"
"What happens in Jacky-boys' territory is my business." He told me the grin vanishing from his face.
"Really is the almighty Jack unable to take his own territory?" I knew Jack was just coming out of the washroom I knew he would be able to hear me and I couldn't resist giving him a little dig.
"I can handle my territory just fine." I heard him say his voice taking on an edge that I knew meant he would show who ever questioned him just how well he could handle it.
"I'm not the one questioning." I replied a small smile playing at the corners of my mouth.
"I'm not questioning." Spot said his eyes never leaving mine telling me just how much my comments were getting under his skin. " Jacky-boy can take more than any of these bums, but we's got an alliance and I likes to know what my fellow leaders, got goin on."
"Oh you don't have to explain yourself to me." I was enjoying every minute of this and I knew that he knew. He stood slowly walking towards me like a stalking tiger, his eyes telling me he was just as deadly. Damn there isn't anything that is as attractive as a bad boy and I had no doubts Spot was exactly that.
"I don't explain myself to anyone." He responded stopping just a few inches shy of me. I gave in a devil may care smile trying to ignore the effect those eyes had on me. He knew the bastard, I could tell by the smirk on his face.
"Fancy that." I said glaring up at him. " I think you just did."
"I graced you with that answer."
"Really?" my voice dripped with sarcasm " Well I'll consider myself privileged."
" You should." He said in a tone that told me that he meant it. His hand brushed my cheek and I jerked back.
"I don't know who the hell you think I am." I hissed " but you keep your dirty crumb snatchers off of me."
I whirled and stormed into my little room making the walls shake with the force of the door slamming as I did. I fumed just who did he think he was God's gift to women. I bet he really believed that. I paced in the pathetically small room turning practically every four steps. Mush opened the door tentatively, I looked at him and from his expression I knew I looked pretty angry.
"Sorry Mush." I said as he turned to go. " I'm not angry with you, actually I don't know why I got so angry."
Mush turned back I saw the deck of cards in his hand.
" Spot and Jack went downstairs I thought you might like to play with us again." He said softly. " Ya know, one word of advise for all of our pieces of mind, please don't taunt Spot. Jack's one thing, but Spot he's got a temper, if ya push him too far I don't wanta have to jump in."
"I'm sorry Mush, " I whispered hanging my head, I didn't even think about how my reaction would have affected the few friends I had made.
"No problem, it was great to see someone finally give Spot the run around for a change." He smiled at me and I saw Blink and Crutchy waiting for me at Crutchy's bunk. Blink glared at me for a moment, but Crutchy just gave me his signature grin and I tried to ignore Blink's wrath. It didn't take him long to forget though as I kicked butt at poker.
"Look kid, don't do that again." Blink said softly as I started to my room when Kloppman came up and told us it was lights out. " Yeah could have gotten yaself hurt."
"I'm not afraid of him." I told him " But I'll try not to."
He nodded giving me a worried look before he headed off to his own bunk. Jack just gave me a look as he passed that told me exactly how pissed he was. I shrugged trying to brush it off. Getting people angry seemed to be my gift, but it wasn't a gift I usually enjoyed. I sighed and shut me door softly praying I hadn't done too much damage.
"I don't care she ain't stayin." The old man yelled, after staring at me for a moment. His voice ringing out across the room making me jump.
"Gee Mr. Kloppman, we didn't know where else she could go." Crutchy was saying in a calm voice.
"She can go anywhere, but here." Kloppman told him, from the way the boys were looking at him and the laugh creases around his eyes he didn't get angry often.
"Kloppman." Jack said throwing his arm around Kloppman's shoulder. " Tell me really where else she can go. She ain't got any family, she ain't got a home, just like the rest of us. She's too old for the orphanage and I wouldn't wish Morris or Oscar into the poor house. So you tell me where we gonna send her? I know ya ain't gonna send her out on the streets."
Jack flashed me a look and I took the hint giving Kloppman my best set of puppy eyes. I could see him fighting against his better judgment, but eventually I saw the look of acceptance in his eyes.
"Okay, she can stay." Kloppman relented "But you better believe I'll be up here makin sure there's no funny business. I don't like her sleepin in the same room as ya louts. I want that door to remain closed if ya sleepin or if ya changing missy. I'll be opening it at night to make sure no one's lost their way and ended up in here."
"I have better morals than that." I said trying not to sound too offended. " Just because I don't have a home doesn't mean I don't have any morals."
"I'm just makin sure." Kloppman told me his face softening a little. "Get dressed I wanna see you down stairs before the boys leave to go over the rules with ya."
I nodded and slammed the door shut, quickly I pulled on my clothes, switching out yesterdays shirt for one Mush had donated to me. One of the younger boys had offered an extra pair of trousers that I opted for as well. There had been some argument about me dressing like a man, but I had quelled those arguments with logical reasons. The one that had won the argument was that I was less likely to be accosted if I looked like a boy than if I looked like a girl. With grumbles the boys had relented at least those with any authority. Jack had held on until the last moment and finally gave in non-to gracefully. I opened the door to find a sleepy Jack slap boxing with an overly energetic Mush.
I hate morning people I thought grumpily watching the two, from the look Jack gave me as I passed them he was in agreement. It was an odd feeling, we had disagreed on nearly everything since I had woken up and found myself at the Lodging House. The door to the washroom slammed shut as I passed. I grinned and continued out the door and down the rickety set of stairs to where Kloppman waited in his office.
" Shut the door." Kloppman ordered, I did as he asked and sat in the chair he gestured to. " Look I'm sorry if I offended you in there, but what I said was as much for the boys as it were for you. Theys boys with healthy appetites in all areas, I ain't gonna pretend differently, but I don't run a cat house. The boys is right as of right now I ain't got a better place to send ya. I don't know nothin about you. I'm gonna assume until you prove otherwise that you is a good girl and ya ain't gonna let the boys into ya bed. If I find any hanky panky goin on ya out, ya got it?"
I nodded pushing down the irritation that welled up inside of me. He nodded and opened the door.
"Well with that bein said I guess we better get ya signed in." He said as he waived his hand for me to follow him out of the room. He opened up a book that lay on the counter. "Sign in, rents five cents a week, I'll let ya pass this week, but I expect my five cents next week."
I signed my name and gave all the appropriate information finishing just as Mush and Blink clattered down the stairs.
"Hey Cameo." Mush called, I rolled my eyes. Crutchy must have already told them the nickname he had given me the night before.
"Briar, Mush." I said turning, "My name is Briar."
"Crutchy told us he named ya Cameo so ya stuck with it." Blink told me handing me the hat I had left upstairs. "Anyways, we wanted to talk with ya before Jack did."
I raised one eyebrow and leaned against the counter, my arms akimbo.
"We was wonderin if ya wanted to sell with us today." Mush rushed on, searching my face as he said it. "We wanted to get to ya before Jack did, it ain't fair him getting Les and you."
"Only if we split equally." I replied " Jack took a seventy percent cut of my earnings yesterday. He said it was because he had let me observe him free of charge, but I didn't need to observe anything."
"That's Jack." Blink chuckled "So we split our takes equally an ya gonna come with us?"
I nodded, Blink spit on his hand and held it out as if he expected me to shake it.
"Do you know how many germs that spreads?" I asked wrinkling my nose in disgust. "It's a wonder you aren't all sick."
Mush laughed and threw his arm around my shoulders pulling me out the door before Jack could come down the stairs. I pulled my hair on top of my head in a messy bun and threw my hat over it. We made it to the distribution center long before Jack and waited next to a bronze statue for the gates to open. Jack sauntered up as Blink and Mush were telling me the story of strike they had been involved in. They told it in a way that made me laugh and feel the emotions they had gone through. So that was what Jack had meant by women had been the only people they had let sell newspapers.
"Have you two ever thought about making a book out of your story?" I asked, they both looked at me blankly " You really have the story telling knack. You have a gift, both of you."
"Yeah, well gift or not I wanna know why my sellin partner is with these two bums." Jack said, his voice telling us all he was irritated.
"You have a selling partner." I responded my tone casual " You have two selling partners, Jack."
"Yeah well, I wants to keep an eye on ya again today."
" You mean you want to make more money today." I said my tone sardonic. "If you're that worried about who I am, then I'm sure Blink and Mush wouldn't mind spying on me today."
"I claimed ya as my sellin partner first." Jack snapped.
"Jacky-boy, " I chuckled patting his cheek and smiling sweetly at him. " Ya gotta share the wealth."
He didn't look happy about the way I mimicked his accent, nor the way I had evaded his wishes. He knew he didn't have much of a choice other than letting me go. I had shot down all of his excuses and he couldn't say anything else without giving Mush and Blink the wrong idea.
"You two keep a close eye on her." He growled and stalked off into the opening gates. I watched as he ignored two punks who stood at the gates waiting for him taunting him.
"I ain't never seen him ignore a chance to go at the DeLanceys." Mush said a little awe in his voice.
" I ain't never seen him back down when he's wanted somethin." Blink added. They both looked at me with more than a little respect. "That's the second time ya won an argument with him. First wearin mens clothes now sellin with us."
"He can't win them all." I replied with a shrug of my shoulders. "I guess he'll have to work on his arguing skills. I've been arguing my whole life to get where I want. I hadn't my father would have run all over me."
"Amen to that." Mush said "We's all been fightin since we was born. Some of us fight with words, some with fists, most with both."
"And where does Jack fall?" I asked as we made our way to the line that was forming in front of the window where an older gentleman stood taking down a tally of the newspapers as he sold them.
"He wouldn't be the leader if he wasn't good at both." Blink told me as we bypassed the younger kids and cut into line next to Race. Crutchy waved from further up ahead. " Ya lucky, yous a girl. Jack don't take it too well when someone gives him lip."
I chewed on that for a while, until Mush broke into my thoughts for some money to split the newspapers we had bought. Crutchy was waiting at the end of the stairs for us as I followed Mush and Blink down.
"Hey Crutchy, I could sell with you tomorrow." I said my face brightening as I saw his goofy grin. He looked down for a moment then looked back up his face serious and almost pained.
" I don't think that would be a good idea Cameo." He said so softly I almost didn't' catch his words.
"Why not?" I asked my face showing my confusion. I had thought we were good friends, why wouldn't he want me to sell with him?
"I think you should stick with the stronger boys." He said reluctantly, his cheeks were a little pink and I knew what ever he was going to say next would be something that was hard for him. "If we got into trouble I wouldn't be able to protect you."
"Crutchy, I'm not a weak woman, who's going to stand around crying for help if I get into trouble." I told him " I know how to take care of myself, I may not have grown up on the streets, but I'm no stranger to trouble."
"I still think it would be best if ya sold with the other boys." Crutchy insisted. I let the matter drop, knowing how difficult this conversation was for him. He gave me half a grin and hobbled away before I could say anything else. I felt horrible; I hadn't realized when I asked him how insecure about his leg he was. He had such a great outlook on life I hadn't even stopped to consider the fact that he might not be comfortable with his disability.
"Don't let it bother you." Mush said reading my expression, angrily I clamped down on my emotions and felt the familiar mask settle on my face that would keep him from reading any more. "he gets this way sometimes."
"He's right though." Blink added. " Ya may be able to protect yaself, but between you and Crutchy ya'd get yaself hurt tryin to protect each other."
I gave them a glare and snatched my share of the papers from Mush's outstretched hand. I started out the gates, but stopped sheepishly when I realized I had no idea where we were going. Blink laughed and Mush looked at me with twinkling eyes. I just seethed, they let me walk ahead for a few blocks until my temper had cooled a bit and my bruised pride had settled down. It was a repeat of the day before, Mush or Blink were always there, one never very far away. I knew they were keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't get myself into some trouble. I didn't know whether to be irritated at their protectiveness, or be glad they cared. We split our earnings and headed off for Tibbys for lunch. Crutchy met us there, he seemed to have forgotten our earlier conversation and I let it go. If he was afraid to sell with me then I would have to deal with it. It wasn't worth arguing with him. I knew it made him uncomfortable. I looked over at Jack and smiled, now if it had been Jack I wouldn't have been able to resist arguing. He had this arrogance about him that just made me want to take him down a peg or two. He was a good-looking guy I had to admit that, but still there was that damn I am right aura that made me want to smack him.
"Don't tell me, you're another girl to add to the Jack's swoon of fame." I heard Blink say in a teasing voice. I realized I had been studying Jack, just long enough for them to notice.
"Yeah , they always do that." Crutchy joined in.
"I have never swooned over a guy." I told him indifferently " I'm not about to start with your holier than thou leader."
" Did you hear what she said guys?" Mush laughed " She just called Jack holier than thou."
I hid my grin behind my glass of root beer and gave Blink a steady look.
"Besides he's not my type." I said offhandedly, making Mush break into laughter all over again. Blink just shrugged as if he didn't buy it, his expression telling me he would believe it when he saw it.
"You ain't seen Jack turn on the charm." He responded his tone matching mine.
"You ain't seem me turn on the charm either." I replied winking at Mush who looked like he was going to pass out from lack of oxygen. Tears were streaming from his eyes as he gasped for air between laughs.
"So what's so funny over here?" I heard Jack say looking up into those hazel eyes I gave him the same sweet smile I had given him earlier and shrugged.
"I don't buy it, that smile means ya up to something." He said looking at me warily.
"I'm perfectly innocent." I told him batting my eyelashes at him sweetly, he rolled his eyes and turned away.
"Innocent my ass." I heard him mumble as he sauntered from Tibby's Les and Davy following in his wake.
" I sure hope it's innocent." I couldn't help calling after him. The boys all gave me an odd look and I remembered where I was. I couldn't help slipping sometimes, especially with all that Renaissance Festival influence. I shrugged and finished my meal in silence. I followed Mush and Blink out and to the next selling spot, not much changing from that morning. We split our money again and headed back to the Lodging House. It was dark by the time we finally reached it and I heard a vaguely familiar voice boasting as we reached the top of the steps. I entered and immediately found my eyes drawn to the beautiful pair of blue eyes that had captured my attention the morning before. Which had been a feat considering my attention had not been on the boys so much as wondering how I had gotten there and the horrible nausea that I had been inflicted with.
"So ya still here." Spot drawled, a lazy grin on his face. " I woulda thought you woulda cleared out by now."
That smoldering look he was giving me made my legs weak and I could feel that tingling feeling that you always get just as a crush is ready to set in.
Get a hold of yourself. I snapped at myself trying to keep my face cool and expressionless. So I fought at the crush with the only way I knew how, I spoke.
"What makes you think that?" I asked " What's it to ya anyway? Isn't your territory Brooklyn?"
"What happens in Jacky-boys' territory is my business." He told me the grin vanishing from his face.
"Really is the almighty Jack unable to take his own territory?" I knew Jack was just coming out of the washroom I knew he would be able to hear me and I couldn't resist giving him a little dig.
"I can handle my territory just fine." I heard him say his voice taking on an edge that I knew meant he would show who ever questioned him just how well he could handle it.
"I'm not the one questioning." I replied a small smile playing at the corners of my mouth.
"I'm not questioning." Spot said his eyes never leaving mine telling me just how much my comments were getting under his skin. " Jacky-boy can take more than any of these bums, but we's got an alliance and I likes to know what my fellow leaders, got goin on."
"Oh you don't have to explain yourself to me." I was enjoying every minute of this and I knew that he knew. He stood slowly walking towards me like a stalking tiger, his eyes telling me he was just as deadly. Damn there isn't anything that is as attractive as a bad boy and I had no doubts Spot was exactly that.
"I don't explain myself to anyone." He responded stopping just a few inches shy of me. I gave in a devil may care smile trying to ignore the effect those eyes had on me. He knew the bastard, I could tell by the smirk on his face.
"Fancy that." I said glaring up at him. " I think you just did."
"I graced you with that answer."
"Really?" my voice dripped with sarcasm " Well I'll consider myself privileged."
" You should." He said in a tone that told me that he meant it. His hand brushed my cheek and I jerked back.
"I don't know who the hell you think I am." I hissed " but you keep your dirty crumb snatchers off of me."
I whirled and stormed into my little room making the walls shake with the force of the door slamming as I did. I fumed just who did he think he was God's gift to women. I bet he really believed that. I paced in the pathetically small room turning practically every four steps. Mush opened the door tentatively, I looked at him and from his expression I knew I looked pretty angry.
"Sorry Mush." I said as he turned to go. " I'm not angry with you, actually I don't know why I got so angry."
Mush turned back I saw the deck of cards in his hand.
" Spot and Jack went downstairs I thought you might like to play with us again." He said softly. " Ya know, one word of advise for all of our pieces of mind, please don't taunt Spot. Jack's one thing, but Spot he's got a temper, if ya push him too far I don't wanta have to jump in."
"I'm sorry Mush, " I whispered hanging my head, I didn't even think about how my reaction would have affected the few friends I had made.
"No problem, it was great to see someone finally give Spot the run around for a change." He smiled at me and I saw Blink and Crutchy waiting for me at Crutchy's bunk. Blink glared at me for a moment, but Crutchy just gave me his signature grin and I tried to ignore Blink's wrath. It didn't take him long to forget though as I kicked butt at poker.
"Look kid, don't do that again." Blink said softly as I started to my room when Kloppman came up and told us it was lights out. " Yeah could have gotten yaself hurt."
"I'm not afraid of him." I told him " But I'll try not to."
He nodded giving me a worried look before he headed off to his own bunk. Jack just gave me a look as he passed that told me exactly how pissed he was. I shrugged trying to brush it off. Getting people angry seemed to be my gift, but it wasn't a gift I usually enjoyed. I sighed and shut me door softly praying I hadn't done too much damage.